Probiotics (VSL#3) Prevent Endothelial Dysfunction in Rats with Portal Hypertension: Role of the Angiotensin System

Aims

Portal hypertension characterized by generalized vasodilatation with endothelial dysfunction affecting nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) has been suggested to involve bacterial translocation and/or the angiotensin system. The possibility that ingestion of probiotics prevents endothelial dysfunction in rats following common bile duct ligation (CBDL) was evaluated.

Methods

Rats received either control drinking water or the probiotic VSL#3 solution (50 billion bacteria.kg body wt⁻¹.day⁻¹) for 7 weeks. After 3 weeks, rats underwent surgery with either resection of the common bile duct or sham surgery. The reactivity of mesenteric artery rings was assessed in organ chambers, expression of proteins by immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis, oxidative stress using dihydroethidium, and plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels by flow cytometry.

Results

Both NO- and EDH-mediated relaxations to acetylcholine were reduced in the CBDL group compared to the sham group, and associated with a reduced expression of Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, IK_Ca and SK_Ca and an increased expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). In aortic sections, increased expression of NADPH oxidase subunits, angiotensin converting enzyme, AT1 receptors and angiotensin II, and formation of ROS and peroxynitrite were observed. VSL#3 prevented the deleterious effect of CBDL on EDH-mediated relaxations, vascular expression of connexins, IK_Ca, SK_Ca and eNOS, oxidative stress, and the angiotensin system. VSL#3 prevented the CBDL-induced increased plasma TNF-α, IL-1α and MCP-1 levels.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that VSL#3 ingestion prevents endothelial dysfunction in the mesenteric artery of CBDL rats, and this effect is associated with an improved vascular oxidative stress most likely by reducing bacterial translocation and the local angiotensin system.     

Probiotics Prevent Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in Acute Pancreatitis in Rats via Induction of Ileal Mucosal Glutathione Biosynthesis

Background

During acute pancreatitis (AP), oxidative stress contributes to intestinal barrier failure. We studied actions of multispecies probiotics on barrier dysfunction and oxidative stress in experimental AP.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Fifty-three male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into five groups: 1) controls, non-operated, 2) sham-operated, 3) AP, 4) AP and probiotics and 5) AP and placebo. AP was induced by intraductal glycodeoxycholate infusion and intravenous cerulein (6 h). Daily probiotics or placebo were administered intragastrically, starting five days prior to AP. After cerulein infusion, ileal mucosa was collected for measurements of E. coli K12 and ⁵¹Cr-EDTA passage in Ussing chambers. Tight junction proteins were investigated by confocal immunofluorescence imaging. Ileal mucosal apoptosis, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione levels were determined and glutamate-cysteine-ligase activity and expression were quantified. AP-induced barrier dysfunction was characterized by epithelial cell apoptosis and alterations of tight junction proteins (i.e. disruption of occludin and claudin-1 and up-regulation of claudin-2) and correlated with lipid peroxidation (r>0.8). Probiotic pre-treatment diminished the AP-induced increase in E. coli passage (probiotics 57.4±33.5 vs. placebo 223.7±93.7 a.u.; P<0.001), ⁵¹Cr-EDTA flux (16.7±10.1 vs. 32.1±10.0 cm/s10⁻⁶; P<0.005), apoptosis, lipid peroxidation (0.42±0.13 vs. 1.62±0.53 pmol MDA/mg protein; P<0.001), and prevented tight junction protein disruption. AP-induced decline in glutathione was not only prevented (14.33±1.47 vs. 8.82±1.30 nmol/mg protein, P<0.001), but probiotics even increased mucosal glutathione compared with sham rats (14.33±1.47 vs. 10.70±1.74 nmol/mg protein, P<0.001). Glutamate-cysteine-ligase activity, which is rate-limiting in glutathione biosynthesis, was enhanced in probiotic pre-treated animals (probiotics 2.88±1.21 vs. placebo 1.94±0.55 nmol/min/mg protein; P<0.05) coinciding with an increase in mRNA expression of glutamate-cysteine-ligase catalytic (GCLc) and modifier (GCLm) subunits.

Conclusions

Probiotic pre-treatment diminished AP-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and prevented oxidative stress via mechanisms mainly involving mucosal glutathione biosynthesis.     

Role of NAD(P)H Oxidase in Superoxide Generation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) Rats as a Model of Nonobese NIDDM

Background

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in diabetics, and it has a complex etiology that operates on several levels. Endothelial dysfunction and increased generation of reactive oxygen species are believed to be an underlying cause of vascular dysfunction and coronary artery disease in diabetes. This impairment is likely the result of decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) within the vasculature. However, it is unclear whether hyperglycemia per se stimulates NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide generation in vascular tissue.

Methods and Results

This study focused on whether NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide is elevated in vasculature tissue evoking endothelial/smooth muscle dysfunction in the hyperglycemic (169±4 mg%) Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat. By dihydroethidine fluorescence staining, we determined that aorta superoxide levels were significantly elevated in 9 month-old GK compared with age matched Wistar (GK; 195±6%, Wistar; 100±3.5%). Consistent with these findings, 10⁻⁶ mol/L acetylcholine-induced relaxation of the carotid artery was significantly reduced in GK rats compared with age matched Wistar (GK; 41±7%, Wistar; 100±5%) and measurements in the aorta showed a similar trend (p = .08). In contrast, relaxation to the NO donor SNAP was unaltered in GK compared to Wistar. Endothelial dysfunction was reversed by lowering of superoxide with apocynin, a specific Nox inhibitor.

Conclusions

The major findings from this study are that chronic hyperglycemia induces significant vascular dysfunction in both the aorta and small arteries. Hyperglycemic induced increases in NAD(P)H oxidase activity that did not come from an increase in the expression of the NAD(P)H oxidase subunits, but more likely as a result of chronic activation via intracellular signaling pathways.     

门静脉高压症大鼠肠系膜组织内皮素B受体表达的变化

目的:探讨胆汁性肝纤维化引起的门静脉高压症(PHT)大鼠肠系膜组织内皮素B受体表达(ETBR)的变化.方法:取体重250±10 g左右的清洁级SD雄性大鼠30只,根据体重随机分为假手术组、模型组,模型制作采用胆总管结扎的方法造成大鼠胆汁性肝纤维化.术后2周和4周分别测定各组的门静脉压力,应用免疫组化和免疫印迹的方法观察肠系膜组织ETBR的表达.结果:术后2周和4周模型组门静脉压力显著升高,分别为11.89±1.38 mmHg和16.34±1.63 mmHg.免疫组化显示假手术组肠系膜组织ETBR主要见于细动脉内皮细胞,而模型组大鼠ETBR的表达不仅见于细动脉内皮细胞,细动脉平滑肌细胞和微动脉表达也很显著.免疫印迹发现假手术组肠系膜组织ETBR含量很少,模型组大鼠ETBR表达明显增多.结论:正常大鼠肠系膜血管组织ETBR表达较少,随着肝组织损伤加剧和PHT形成,肠系膜组织ETBR表达明显增加,可能参与胆汁性肝硬化PHT形成过程.     

S-甲基异硫脲对大鼠门脉高压症食管静脉曲张的影响

目的观察诱导型一氧化氮合酶抑制剂SMT对大鼠门脉高压症食管静脉曲张的影响。方法健康雄性SD大鼠60只随机分为5组,假手术组、模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组和高剂量组。假手术组仅分离门静脉、左肾上腺静脉关腹,其余组门脉缩窄两步法加左肾上腺静脉结扎,建立门脉高压症食管静脉曲张模型。假手术组与模型组手术后给予腹腔注射生理盐水,其余3组手术后给予腹腔注射不同浓度SMT。手术后21 d,检测大鼠门脉血中TNOS、iNOS的活性及NO的浓度,免疫组化CD34标记食管血管内皮,测量每组大鼠食管横切面黏膜下血管的数目、面积。结果模型组大鼠门脉血中TNOS活性与iNOS活性以及NO浓度和食管黏膜下血管数目,血管平均截面积,血管总面积均较假手术组显著升高（P〈0.01）。中、高剂量组大鼠门脉血中TNOS活性与iNOS活性以及NO浓度和食管黏膜下血管的数目、血管平均面积、血管总面积较模型组均显著下调（P≤0.01）。结论大鼠门脉高压食管静脉曲张的发病机制中有NO参与,门脉缩窄型门脉高压食管静脉曲张病中NO主要由iNOS生成,SMT对大鼠门脉高压食管静脉曲张可能具有一定保护作用。     

脾切除对肝硬化门静脉高压症大鼠免疫功能的影响及意义

目的:对肝硬化门静脉高压症大鼠行脾切除手术,观察术后大鼠免疫系统功能的变化情况,探讨脾切除术对免疫系统的影响,为临床治疗提供理论基础。方法:选取SD大鼠45只建立PHT模型,随机分为PHT组、脾全切组及部分脾切除组,每组各15只。另选取10只健康大鼠为对照组。分别对四组大鼠行不同的脾切除方案,术后检测四组大鼠的血常规、免疫球蛋白含量、T淋巴细胞亚群的变化及组织病理学染色结果等,分析各指标的意义。结果:四组大鼠血常规检测结果显示,PHT组大鼠WBC高于对照组,PHTTS组高于PHT组,PHTSS组高于PHTTS组,差异显著且具有统计学意义(P0.05)。四组大鼠血浆中IgG含量差异显著(P0.05);IgA、IgM含量无显著性差异(P0.05)。四组大鼠CD4+、CD8+含量差异显著(P0.05);CD29+含量无显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:脾脏直接参于细胞介导免疫调节,脾切除可降低门脉压力,消除脾亢,有利于肝硬化门脉高压症的缓解。     

门静脉高压脾功能亢进对大鼠肝癌发生率的影响

目的:通过对门静脉高压脾功能亢进大鼠药物诱导肝癌过程中进行脾脏切除,探讨门静脉高压脾功能亢进对大鼠肝癌发生率的影响。方法:将雌雄SD大鼠性别内分别分为对照组、脾亢组、脾亢切脾组,脾功能亢进大鼠模型采用门静脉缩窄术联合脾静脉结扎术进行制备,各组均予以DEN(二乙基亚硝胺)腹腔注射,按体重20mg/kg给药,每周3次,12周停药,14周处死。其中,脾亢脾切除组于给药第四周进行脾切除术,手术恢复期间持续给药。观察各组实验动物的肝脏大体变化及病理改变,计算成瘤率。结果:实际成瘤率显示脾亢组较对照组明显升高,而雄性脾亢切脾组的成瘤率较脾亢组有所降低。雌性脾亢切脾组成瘤率同脾亢组差异不明显。结论:门静脉高压脾功能亢进状态下进行脾切除,对于雄性能减低肝癌发生的风险,对于雌性的意义不大,给临床实际工作提供了新的思路。     

血管闭合系统(LigaSure)在门静脉高压症患者脾切除、贲门周围血管离断术中的应用

目的:本文旨在通过对比LigaSure与传统分离结扎在门静脉高压症脾切除、贵门周围血管离断术中的应用,来证实LigaSure是否同样适用于门静脉高压症手术.方法:将拟行脾切除、贲门周围血管离断术的患者共100例,随机分成LigaSure组(50例)和传统分离结扎组(50例),两组患者在肝脏原发疾病、肝功能、食管静脉由张程度方面无差异(P＜0.05);比较手术耗时、术中出血量,术后腹腔引流量、脾热、门静脉血栓、住院天数等.结果:两组在术后腹腔引流量、脾热、门静脉血栓、住院天数方面无差异,而手术耗时、术中出血差异显著(P＜0.001).结论:LigaSure在门静脉高压症患者的脾切除、贲门周围血管离断术的应用是安全、有效的,能显著的缩短手术时间和减少出血量,而术后并发症与传统分离结扎手术无差别.     

Differentiation and Migration of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplanted through the Spleen in Rats with Portal Hypertension

Aims

The goals of this paper were to evaluate the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro, and to determine whether stem cells can migrate and plant into the liver with portal hypertension accompanied by the end-stage of liver disease.

Methods

BMSCs were isolated from rats and amplified with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4). The expression of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), cytokeratin 18 (CK-18), and albumin (ALB) was detected by immunofluorescence in induced cells. Rats were randomly divided into experimental (with common bile duct ligation) and control groups. After injection of fluorescence labeled cells, cell distribution was observed under a fluorescence microscope. The integrated optical density (IOD) and cell distribution scores were evaluated using Image-Pro Plus 6.0 software. The portal pressure was measured before the rats were killed.

Results

After being induced with HGF and FGF-4, the Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, and mitochondria all significantly increased in the fifth generation cells. Immunofluorescent analysis showed that the induced cells expressed AFP, CK-18, and ALB. BMSCs were stained by CM-Dil, and the labeling rate was as high as 95.5%. The portal pressure in experimental group was much higher than that of the control group (18.04±2.35 vs. 9.75±1.40cm H₂O p<0.01). The IOD of transplanted cells in the experimental group was also significantly higher than that of the control group (11.30±2.09×10⁵ vs. 2.93±0.88×10⁵, p<0.01). In addition, the cell distribution score in the experimental group was lower than that of the control group (1.99±0.36 vs. 2.36±0.27, P<0.05).

Conclusions

The combination of HGF and FGF-4 induces the differentiation of BMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells, which express AFP, CK-18, and ALB. In addition, the recruitment of BMSCs (after transplantation in the spleen) was improved in rats with portal hypertension.     

Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System,Renal Sympathetic Nerve System,and Oxidative Stress in Chronic Foot Shock-Induced Hypertension in Rats

Objective: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and renal sympathetic nerve system (RSNS) are involved in the development of hypertension. The present study is designed to explore the possible roles of the RAS and the RSNS in foot shock-induced hypertension.Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: control, foot shock, RSNS denervation, denervation plus foot shock, Captopril (angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor, ACE inhibitor) plus foot shock, and Tempol (superoxide dismutase mimetic) plus foot shock. Rats received foot shock for 14 days. We measured the quantity of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), corticosterone, renin, and angiotensin II (Ang II) in plasma, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and renal noradrenaline content. RAS component mRNA and protein levels were quantified in the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus.Results: The two week foot shock treatment significantly increased systolic blood pressure, which was accompanied by an increase in angiotensinogen, renin, ACE1, and AT1a mRNA and protein expression in the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus, an increase of the plasma concentrations of renin, Ang II, corticosterone, and TBARS, as well as a decrease in plasma SOD and GSH-Px activities. Systolic blood pressure increase was suppressed by denervation of the RSNS or treatment with Captopril or Tempol. Interestingly, denervation or Tempol treatment both decreased main RAS components not only in the circulatory system, but also in the central nervous system. In addition, decreased antioxidant levels and increased TBARS and corticosterone levels were also partially restored by denervation or treatment with Tempol or Captopril.Conclusions: RAS, RSNS and oxidative stress reciprocally potentiate to play important roles in the development of foot shock-induced hypertension.     

Correction of Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction with Adipose Derived Stem Cells Modified with the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene in a Rodent Diabetic Model

The aim of this study was to determine whether adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) expressing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene can improve endothelial function, recover the impaired VEGF signaling pathway and enhance smooth muscle contents in a rat diabetic erectile dysfunction (DED) model. DED rats were induced via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg), and then screened by apomorphine (100 µg/kg). Five groups were used (n = 12/group)–Group 1 (G1): intracavernous injection of lentivirus-VEGF; G2: ADSCs injection; G3: VEGF-expressing ADSCs injection; G4: Phosphate buffered saline injection; G1–G4 were DED rats; G5: normal rats. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intracavernosal pressure (ICP) were measured at days 7 and 28 after the injections. The components of the VEGF system, endothelial, smooth muscle, pericytes markers in cavernoursal tissue were assessed. On day 28 after injection, the group with intracavernosum injection of ADSCs expressing VEGF displayed more efficiently and significantly raised ICP and ICP/MAP (p<0.01) than those with ADSCs or lentivirus-VEGF injection. Western blot and immunofluorescent analysis demonstrated that improved erectile function by ADSCs-VEGF was associated with increased expression of endothelial markers (VEGF, VEGF R1, VEGF R2, eNOS, CD31 and vWF), smooth muscle markers (a-actin and smoothelin), and pericyte markers (CD146 and NG2). ADSCs expressing VEGF produced a therapeutic effect and restored erectile function in diabetic rats by enhancing VEGF-stimulated endothelial function and increasing the contents of smooth muscle and pericytes.     

The Potential Beneficial Role of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 in Endothelial Dysfunction and Heart Failure Associated with Insulin Resistance

Endothelial dysfunction is a major characteristic of the atherosclerotic process and can be used to predict the outcome of cardiovascular disease in humans. Together with obesity and insulin resistance, such dysfunction is common among patients with type 2 diabetes and may explain their poor prognosis in connection with such a disease. Insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver, a well-characterized feature of obesity and type 2 diabetes, contributes to the impairment of glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, the myocardial muscle can also be resistant to insulin, which might, at least in part, explain the frequent development of heart failure in individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes. The relationship between insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction has prompted investigations, which reveal that regular exercise, dietary changes, and/or pharmacological agents can both increase insulin sensitivity and improve endothelial function. Glucagon-like peptide-1, an incretin, lowers blood levels of glucose and offers a promising new approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Its extensive extra-pancreatic effects, including a favorable influence on cardiovascular parameters, are extremely interesting in this connection. The potential pharmacological effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 and its analogues on the endothelium and the heart are discussed in the present review.     

Severe Portal Hypertension in Cirrhosis: Evaluation of Perfusion Parameters with Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography

Objective

To investigate the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) in the diagnosis of severe portal hypertension (PH) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC).

Methods

Patients with PH scheduled to receive hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement were recruited for this study. Hepatic DUS and CEUS were performed successively. Several Doppler and CEUS parameters were explored for correlation with HVPG values and their association with severe PH (≥ 12 mmHg of HVPG). Comparison of the parameters between the severe and non-severe PH groups and their correlation with HVPG values was evaluated. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was also performed to investigate the performance in order to diagnose severe PH.

Results

Fifty-three consecutive patients were enrolled in this study. Among them, 43 patients did not have significant ascites. Compared with the non-severe PH group, portal venous velocity and intrahepatic transit time (ITT) were significantly reduced in the severe PH group (all p<0.05). Difference between inspiratory and expiratory hepatic venous damping indices (ΔHVDI), hepatic venous arrival time (HVAT) and ITT moderately correlated with HVPG (r = -0.358, -0.338, and -0.613, respectively). Areas under the curves for severe PH were 0.94 of ITT and 0.72 of HVAT, respectively (all p<0.05). ITT under 6 seconds indicated severe PH with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 89%.

Conclusions

Hepatic CEUS may be more useful in estimating the HVPG value and determining the presence of severe PH compared to DUS, and ITT was the most accurate parameter to diagnose severe PH.     

New Perspectives in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) I: Endogenous Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibition

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors represent the fifth most often prescribed drugs. ACE inhibitors decrease 5-year mortality by approximately one-fifth in cardiovascular patients. Surprisingly, there are reports dating back to 1979 suggesting the existence of endogenous ACE inhibitors, which endogenous inhibitory effects are much less characterized than that for the clinically administered ACE inhibitors. Here we aimed to investigate this endogenous ACE inhibition in human sera. It was hypothesized that ACE activity is masked by an endogenous inhibitor, which dissociates from the ACE when its concentration decreases upon dilution. ACE activity was measured by FAPGG hydrolysis first. The specific (dilution corrected) enzyme activities significantly increased by dilution of human serum samples (23.2±0.7 U/L at 4-fold dilution, 51.4±0.3 U/L at 32-fold dilution, n = 3, p = 0.001), suggesting the presence of an endogenous inhibitor. In accordance, specific enzyme activities did not changed by dilution when purified renal ACE was used, where no endogenous inhibitor was present (655±145 U/L, 605±42 U/L, n = 3, p = 0.715, respectively). FAPGG conversion strongly correlated with angiotensin I conversion suggesting that this feature is not related to the artificial substrate. Serum samples were ultra-filtered to separate ACE (MW: 180 kDa) and the hypothesized inhibitor. Filtering through 50 kDa filters was without effect, while filtering through 100 kDa filters eliminated the inhibiting factor (ACE activity after <100 kDa filtering: 56.4±2.4 U/L, n = 4, control: 26.4±0.7 U/L, n = 4, p<0.001). Lineweaver-Burk plot indicated non-competitive inhibition of ACE by this endogenous factor. The endogenous inhibitor had higher potency on the C-terminal active site than N-terminal active site of ACE. Finally, this endogenous ACE inhibition was also present in mouse, donkey, goat, bovine sera besides men (increasing of specific ACE activity from 4-fold to 32-fold dilution: 2.8-fold, 1.7-fold, 1.5-fold, 1.8-fold, 2.6-fold, respectively). We report here the existence of an evolutionary conserved mechanism suppressing circulating ACE activity, in vivo, similarly to ACE inhibitory drugs.     

New Perspectives in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) IV: Circulating ACE2 as a Biomarker of Systolic Dysfunction in Human Hypertension and Heart Failure

Background

Growing evidence exists for soluble Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (sACE2) as a biomarker in definitive heart failure (HF), but there is little information about changes in sACE2 activity in hypertension with imminent heart failure and in reverse remodeling.

Methods, Findings

Patients with systolic HF (NYHAII-IV, enrolled for cardiac resynchronisation therapy, CRT, n = 100) were compared to hypertensive patients (n = 239) and to a healthy cohort (n = 45) with preserved ejection fraction (EF>50%) in a single center prospective clinical study. The status of the heart failure patients were checked before and after CRT. Biochemical (ACE and sACE2 activity, ACE concentration) and echocardiographic parameters (EF, left ventricular end-diastolic (EDD) and end-systolic diameter (ESD) and dP/dt) were measured.sACE2 activity negatively correlated with EF and positively with ESD and EDD in all patient''s populations, while it was independent in the healthy cohort. sACE2 activity was already increased in the hypertensive group, where signs for imminent heart failure (slightly decreased EF and barely increased NT-proBNP levels) were detected. sACE2 activities further increased in patients with definitive heart failure (EF<50%), while sACE2 activities decreased with the improvement of the heart failure after CRT (reverse remodeling). Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) concentrations were lower in the diseased populations, but did not show a strong correlation with the echocardiographic parameters.

Conclusions

Soluble ACE2 activity appears to be biomarker in heart failure, and in hypertension, where heart failure may be imminent. Our data suggest that sACE2 is involved in the pathomechanism of hypertension and HF.